Multipurpose head forming and finishing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose head forming and finishing apparatus includes a support frame (3) forming, on a horizontal plane, an arc holding a pair of arms (3a, 3b) symmetrical with respect to a median vertical plane. The frame (3) has a clamp (4), operated in a horizontal direction, for gripping a pipe (2) in proximity of a head (2a) to be worked. The clamp (4) includes a stationary jaw (5) and a mobile jaw (6), slidably supported on the arms (3a, 3b) of the support frame (3) by respective coupling guides and members, the jaws closable on the median symmetry plane. A tool (26) is operated in a direction axial with respect to the pipe (2) held by the clamp (4).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to metallic pipe head forming andfinishing operations, and concerns a multipurpose head forming andfinishing apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Currently, many so-called head forming and finishing apparatuses areknown that carry out flaring, widening, narrowing and other similar headforming and finishing or modifying operations on the heads of pipes.

These head forming and finishing apparatuses basically include a clampfor grabbing the pipe near the head thereof to be worked, and means fordriving of a punch tool, mobile in a direction axial to the pipe held bythe clamp.

The clamp includes a stationary jaw, supported by the apparatus base,and a mobile jaw moved vertically in such a manner as to be closed onthe stationary jaw; the mobile jaw is fastened to a cross-piecedisplaced, via a couple of lateral vertical connecting rods, by anoil-pressure operated cylinder situated under the working surface.

The traditional head forming and finishing apparatuses have a very bulkystructure and are little functional, particularly as the resistance tothe stresses is concerned.

In fact, these apparatuses are equipped with very big motors, have longworking cycles, with a remarkable energy consumption, and their toolset-up time is long, as well.

Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,411,338 discloses a tube flaring apparatuscomprising a support flame and a clamp, operated in a horizontaldirection suitable for gripping a pipe in proximity of a head to beworked. The clamp comprises a stationary jaw and a mobile jaw, suitablefor operating a tool along a direction axial with respect to the pipe.

The above apparatus suffers for some drawbacks: the support frame ismade of several members, which are fixed together by screws, and whichhave to be made by separate castings; one more tool supporting member isfixed separately from the support frame, and has to be precisely setup.Moreover, the tube head is gripped by the clamp jaws by means of atwo-component female die, which is screwed to said jaws. Finally, thetool area and the clamp jaws area not easily accessible and visuallycontrollable by an operator. This makes the apparatus settings quitelong and complex.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a multipurpose headforming and finishing apparatus, that is capable of performing anelevated number of operations, has small dimensions, features highresistance to stresses and is very functional.

The above mentioned object is achieved, in accordance with the claims,by means of a multipurpose head forming and finishing apparatus, thatincludes:

a support frame forming on a horizontal plane a kind of arc endowed witha pair of arms symmetrical with respect to a median vertical plane;

a clamp, operated in a horizontal direction, for gripping a pipe inproximity of a head to be worked, and including a stationary jaw and amobile jaw, connected respectively to said arms of the support frame andaimed at being closed on said plane of median symmetry;

means for operating a tool along a direction axial with respect to saidpipe gripped by said clamp.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention will be better understood from thefollowing description, with particular reference to the attacheddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of the subject head forming andfinishing apparatus;

FIG. 2 shows a corresponding front view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed plan view of the operation zone of theapparatus;

FIG. 4 shows a corresponding sectional view of the apparatus taken alonga vertical transversal plane;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show plan views of the apparatus equipped with particularhead forming and finishing tools, with some parts cross-sectioned;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show respectively a side and front view of a supportcarriage of the subject apparatus;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show corresponding views of a stationary frame of theapparatus support;

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show respectively a side, front and plan view of adifferent embodiment of the support carriage of the apparatus;

FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 plan views of the apparatus equipped with otherparticular head forming and finishing tools, with some partscross-sectioned.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the aforesaid Figures, numeral 1 generally indicatesthe head forming and finishing apparatus that performs forming andfinishing operations on the heads of a pipe 2.

The apparatus 1 includes a support frame 3 featuring a kind of arc thatextends on a horizontal plane; in particular, this frame defines acouple of arms 3a,3b symmetrical with respect to a median verticalplane. The same frame 3 thus appears as an open-top, open-bottom frame.

The jaws of a clamp 4, aimed at gripping the pipe 2 in proximity of thehead to work, are fastened to the arms 3a, 3b of the support frame 3.

The clamp 4 is operated according to a horizontal direction, in such amanner as to close the jaws on a plane coincident with the said medianvertical symmetry plane.

More precisely, a stationary jaw 5 of the clamp 4 is rigidly fastened tothe first arm 3a of the support frame; while a mobile facing jaw 6 isguided slidingly on the second arm 3b according to a horizontaldirection transversal to the aforesaid median symmetry plane.

In fact, the mobile jaw 6 is fastened to a plate 7 fixed to the freeextremity of a couple of stems 8 that are slidably guided through thearm 3b of the support frame 3 and are operated by a double actionactuating member 9, for instance an pressure operated type device,integral with the same arm 3b.

Respective prismatic means 10,11, are fixed to the jaws 5, 6 of theclamp 4, and are set in sliding engagement with respective verticalprismatic guides 12,13, which have a shape matching therewith machinedin a spacing plate 14 and in the said plate 7 (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

The spacing plate 14 features a prismatic slide 15, similar to theprevious ones, for engagement of a corresponding vertical guide 16, madeon another plate 17 protruding from the arm 3a of the support frame 3.

Respective stop members 18,19, which define vertical positions of thejaws 5,6 of the clamp 4, are also fastened to the plates 14 and 7 bymeans of traditional screws, in the region of the guides 12,13, (FIG.4).

Instead, the spacing plate 14 is brought in abutment onto a stop 20fixed to the plate 17. The spacing plate 14 can be removed in order towork pipes of bigger diameter, that need a clamp equipped with jaws ofbigger dimensions.

Obviously, in this case, the stationary jaw 5 engages directly the guide16 of the plate 17.

An actuating means 21, also made integral with the support frame 3,operates a tool that performs the head forming and finishing operations.This tool is located on the said median plane and along a directionaxial with respect to the pipe 2 gripped by the clamp 4.

This actuating means 21 is substantially constituted by an oil-pressureoperated cylinder provided with a stem 22, mobile according to theaforesaid axial direction.

The fore and rear stop positions of the stem 22, are defined by a coupleof proximity sensors 23,24, mounted in adjustable position along a bar25 that extends from the support frame 3.

The head forming and finishing tool is, for instance a punch 26 fixed,by means of a quick coupling, to the front end of the stem 22.

Therefore, operating the active stroke of the stem 22 causes the axialpenetration of the punch 26 in the pipe 2 gripped by the clamp 4,provoking the widening of the head 2a, as seen in FIG. 3.

In order to mount the pipe 2 on the head forming and finishingapparatus, first the clamp 4 is opened, by moving the plate 7 thatcarries the mobile jaw 6, as indicated with the broken line 7a inFIG. 1. This allows insertion of the pipe 2, and then the mobile jaw 6is closed onto the stationary jaw 5 and the pipe 2 is grippedtherebeteween.

The clamp 4, operated horizontally, holds the pipe 2 in a perfectsymmetry in the support frame 3, that guarantees optimal conditions ofstress resistance. Therefore the clamp 4 can, in closing step, supportconsiderable stresses, up to the limit of elastic deformation of thepipe to work.

It is to be noted that if the frame becomes deformed because of the saidsymmetry, the pipe would anyway kept coaxial with the stem 22 carryingthe tool.

Therefore, the constant quality of the pipes worked in this way isguaranteed. The horizontally operated clamp 4 allows the internal zoneof the jaws to be easily seen in the opening step, for a betterpositioning of the pipe to work.

The apparatus allows to perform an elevated number of operations, due topossibility of easy substitution of the tools on the stem 22 of theoperating means 21.

Besides tools working in compression, such as the illustrated punch 26,the apparatus can also use tools working in traction.

It is also possible to use particular tools equipped with dies that canbe mounted on the support frame of the apparatus.

FIG. 5, for instance, shows an expanding tool, indicated generally withnumeral 27, aimed at widening the head of the pipe 2. This expandingtool 27 features, in known way, a series of radial sectors 28 mounted ina circle around a wedge 29, and held in place by a support 30 that isconnected with the guides 12,13 of the support frame 3, instead of thejaws of the clamp 4 illustrated previously.

The wedge 29 is fixed coaxially to the stem 22 and operated thereby, insuch a manner as to be retracted with respect to the support 30, asillustrated with broken line 29a.

In this configuration, the radial sectors 28 are near to each other, dueto the action of suitable elastic means, therefore it is possible tointroduce therein the pipe 2 to be worked.

The following active stroke of the stem 22, i.e. the stroke ofpenetration of the wedge 29, determines the forced expansion of theradial sectors 28 and widening of the head 2a of the pipe.

FIG. 6 shows a narrowing tool, indicated generally with 31, aimed atnarrowing of the head 2a of the pipe 2.

This narrowing tool 31 features, in known manner, a series of radialsectors 32, externally forming a wedge, mounted in a circle inside aring-like support 33 complementary thereto; the support 33 is connectedto the guides 12, 13 of the support frame 3, instead of the jaws of theclamp 4.

The radial sectors 32 are made to expand by an elastic means 34 mountedon a disk-like plate 35 that is fixed to a flange 36 designed forconnection to the stem 22.

Therefore, the radial sectors 32 can be retracted from the ring-likesupport 33, as indicated with broken line 32a, hence it is possible tointroduce the pipe 2 to be worked.

The following active stroke of the stem 22 pushes the radial sectors 32closer to each other and the consequently makes the head 2a of the pipenarrow.

With reference to FIG. 14, a head facing tool is connected to the stem96 that, in this case, is also driven in axial rotation R by means of aknown driving device, not shown.

The facing tool includes, in the shown embodiment, a flat cutting bit99, and a cornering bit 98. The flat cutting bit faces the head of thepipe 2 gripped between the jaws 85,86 fixed to the plates 87,97, whilethe stem 96 is also pushed in direction L.

The cornering bit cuts the corners of the faced head.

In FIG. 15 there is shown a spin cone-shaping tool mounted on the stem91, also turned axially in direction R. The spin cone-shaping toolincludes a arc-shaped plate 88 whose ends support conical rollers 84,94set with convergent axes. The intersection point of the conical rollersaxes lays on the axis of the pipe 2.

When the stem is set into rotation R and pushed along direction L, thecone-shaping tool inserts into the head of the pipe 2, gripped by theclamp, and turn after turn it shapes the pipe head giving it a conicalshape.

For better operation, the jaws are in this case shaped so as to matchthe cone being formed at the head of the pipe. For instance, the rim ofthe hole defined by the jaws ad facing the cone-shaping tool iscountersunk.

With reference to FIG. 16, the apparatus is in this case equipped with aspin cutting tool 83.

The stem 82 is rotated in direction R and displaced in direction L untilit enters the head of the pipe 2, gripped by the jaws 85,86 fixed to theplates 87,97, until it reaches the point where the pipe is to be cut.

Then the stem 82 is imparted a transversal progressive motion indirection E so as to take an eccentric position with respect to the stemand pipe axes. Rotation of the stem will thus cut the pipe.

This gives a better appearance to the pipe head due to cutting frominside, while the circular shape is perfectly maintained by the gripaction of the clamp.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 17, where the shaping tool 93 issimilar to the one of FIG. 16, but instead of cutting it makes acircular groove in the inner surface of the pipe.

For this operation the tool 93 has a curved profile and the jaws featurea circular groove that matches the tool profile.

After that the pipe 2 has been gripped by the clamp, the shaping tool ispositioned in alignment with the groove made in the jaws by displacementof the stem 92 along direction L.

Then the stem is rotated in direction R and set eccentric bydisplacement thereof in direction E, until the groove is made in thepipe.

To improve the operation, a spacing element, not shown for clarity, canbe positioned between the rim of the pipe 2 and the shank of the shapingtool 93.

The head forming and finishing apparatus 1 is suitably mounted on acarriage 37, designed to allow an easy transport thereof, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8.

This carriage 37 basically includes a support structure 38 equipped witha couple of fore wheels 39 and, at the back, with a towing or ruddermeans 40, that supports a central pivoting wheel 42 by means of a fork41.

The back wheel 42 and the rudder 40 form a lever mechanism, designed tolift the carriage 37 from the support on the feet 46, loading the weighton the same wheel 42.

When the rudder 40 is not pushed downwards, the weight returns onto thefeet 46, and consequently, the structure 38 has firm support.

The structure 38 usefully supports an oil-pressure control unit 43 forsupplying oil under pressure to the apparatus and making it completelyautonomous.

If the head forming and finishing apparatus 1 is not equipped with anautonomous oil-pressure control unit, it is obviously provided withconventional quick connection means for connection to external feedingmeans.

Naturally, it is possible to use the said structure 38 as fixed supportfor the apparatus 1, in particular if it is provided with theoil-pressure control unit 43, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show an innovative embodiment of the supportcarriage 37 of the head forming and finishing apparatus 1, in which thestructure is made of modular elements 44 constituted by tubular elementswith circular section, suitably folded up; these tubular elements 44 arerigidly fastened by means of brackets 45.

A similar tubular element, fastened by means of the aforesaid bracket45, carries the fore wheels 39.

Obviously, also in this case the carriage 37 can support theoil-pressure control unit 43 for feeding of the apparatus.

Therefore, the object apparatus resolves in an innovative manner theproblem of a precise forming and/or finishing of the head of pipes,having a simplified solid structure, reduced dimensions, and being easyto use.

The apparatus allows to perform an elevated number of operations, and inpractice can have a universal use with the known tools.

It is understood that what above has been described as a pure example,non limitative, therefore all possible constructive variations remainunder protection of the present technical solution, as described aboveand claimed hereinafter.

I claim:
 1. A multipurpose head forming and finishing apparatus,comprising:a support frame; a clamp fastened to said support frame andoperated in a horizontal direction for gripping a pipe in proximity of ahead to be worked, said clamp having a stationary jaw and a mobile jaw;a pair of arms protruding from said support frame to form substantiallyan arc on a horizontal plane, providing an open-top and an open-bottomsupport frame, said arms being symmetrical with respect to a medianvertical plane, said stationary jaw and said mobile jaw of said clampbeing connected respectively to said arms of the support frame and beingfit to be closed on said median symmetry plane; a tool for acting on thehead of the pipe; actuating means for directing the tool along adirection axial with respect to said pipe gripped by said clamp;coupling means fixed to the stationary jaw and the mobile jaw of theclamp and fastened to said arms of said support frame, so that said jawscan be slidably removed from said arms and changed.
 2. The apparatusaccording to the claim 1, wherein said coupling means include prismaticmembers fixed to the jaws of the clamp and respective vertical prismaticguides having a shape for receiving said prismatic members in said arms.3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising removablespacer plates, located between said arms and said jaws, each platehaving an integral prismatic slide for engaging a corresponding verticalguide made on said arm of said support frame, each plate having avertical prismatic guide for receiving said prismatic members in saidplates.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supportframe has a first arm for carrying said stationary jaw and a second armhaving plate means for carrying said mobile jaw, a jaw actuator madeintegral with the second arm for displacing the plate means.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tool is a punch fixed to afront end of a stem of the actuating means for causing axial penetrationof said punch into said pipe for widening of the head thereof.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tool is a head facing toolconnected to a stem of the actuating means that further drives said stemin axial rotation, said head facing tool including a flat cutting bitthat faces the head of said pipe, and a cornering bit that cuts cornersof the faced pipe head.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, whereinsaid tool is a spin cone-shaping tool connected to a stem of theactuating means that further drives said stem in axial rotation, saidspin cone-shaping tool including an arc-shaped plate whose ends supportconical rollers set with convergent axes for giving the head of saidpipe a conical shape.
 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, whereinsaid jaws are shaped to match the cone being formed at the head of thepipe.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tool is a spincutting tool connected to a stem of the actuating means that furtherdrives said stem in axial rotation, the tool being transverselydisplaced to set the spin cutting tool eccentric with respect to saidpipe for cutting the head of said pipe.
 10. The apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said tool is a spin shaping tool with a curved profileconnected to a stem of the actuating means that further drives said stemin axial rotation, the tool being transversely displaced to set the spinshaping tool eccentric with respect to said pipe for shaping a circulargroove in an inner surface of said pipe.
 11. The apparatus according toclaim 10, wherein said jaws have a circular groove with a profile forreceiving the circular groove in the inner surface of the pipe.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carriage forcarrying the apparatus, the carriage including a support structureequipped with a couple of fore wheels and, at the back, with feet, thesupport structure being lifted by a lever mechanism pivoting on asteering wheel, said support structure supporting an oil-pressurefeeding control unit.
 13. A multipurpose head forming and finishingapparatus, comprising:a support frame; a mobile support and a stationarysupport fastened to said support frame and operated in a horizontaldirection, said mobile support supporting a first part of a tool forcarrying out forming operations on a head of a pipe, a pair of armsprotruding from said support frame so as to form a substantial arc on ahorizontal plane, said arms being symmetrical with respect to a medianvertical plane, thus giving the support frame an open-top and anopen-bottom, said stationary support and said mobile support of saidclamp being connected respectively to said arms of the support frame andbeing fit to be closed on said median symmetry plane; actuating meansfor moving a second part of said tool along a direction axial withrespect to said first part; and, coupling means fixed to the stationarysupport and the mobile support and engaged to said arms of said supportframe, so that said stationary support and said movable support can beslidably removed from said arms and changed.
 14. The apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein said first part of said tool includes a series ofradial sectors mounted in a circle and held in place by the stationarysupport and the mobile support that are coupled to said arms, saidsecond part of said tool including a wedge that is fixed coaxially to astem of the actuating means, said wedge being moved axially so as toexpand said radial sectors, thus enlarging a head of a pipe surroundinga terminal part of said radial sectors.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 13, wherein said first part of said tool includes a series ofradial sectors, forming a wedge externally of the pipe and mountable ina circle inside a ring-like support complementary thereto formed by thestationary support and the mobile support that are coupled to said arms,said second part of said tool includes a disk-like plate that is fixedto a flange connected to a stem of the actuating means, said flange anddisk-like plate being moved axially in a first direction so as to expandsaid radial sectors for insertion of a head of a pipe among terminalparts of said radial sectors, and in a second direction for pushing theradial sections closer to each other, due to a wedging action of saidring-like support, to make said head narrower.
 16. The apparatusaccording to claim 13, further comprising a carriage for carrying theapparatus, the carriage including a support structure equipped with acouple of fore wheels and, at the back, with feet, the structure beinglifted by a lever mechanism pivoting on a steering wheel, said structuresupporting an oil-pressure feeding control unit.